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Physics is concerned with the study of the nature of matter and energy and their interplay. Physicists are interested in understanding the fundamental laws which govern the behaviour of the universe. A study of physics therefore ranges from the sub-nuclear worlds of quarks and gluons through the properties of the everyday world of fluids and solids to stars, galaxies and the universe as a whole. The understanding physics gives of physical reality underpins much of modern life – electricity and electronics, communications, transport, energy resources and even textiles; food production and medicine are strongly influenced by developments in physics. Physics also embodies a literary and philosophical tradition stretching back to the Renaissance and beyond.
Besides being an exciting subject to study in its own right, physics also involves training in experimental skills, communication skills, such as oral presentations and report writing, and in mathematics and computing. Above all, a study of physics will train you in problem solving – a skill which is especially valued by employers.
The Physics Faculty of the Belarusian State University trains specialists for different branches of industry, research institutes and laboratories, and teachers for secondary schools, technical secondary schools and higher schools. The Faculty provides a broad physics and engineering education. In the age of rapid scientific and technological progress, of computerization and informatics there is a growing demand for specialists with a thorough knowledge in their speciality and the ability to apply that knowledge for practical purposes in different areas.
The Physics Faculty is one of the oldest and largest at the University. It was founded in October 1958. Before that physics education had been provided at the physics-mathematics department of the Pedagogical Faculty (since 1922), and then at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics (since 1933).
Further development of the Physics Faculty resulted in the foundation of the Research Institute for Applied Physical Problems in 1972 and the Research Institute for Nuclear Problems in 1986 on the basis of several laboratories. In 1976 four departments of the Faculty were reorganized into the Faculty of Radiophysics and Electronics.
At present there are about 700 full time students at the Faculty and about 60 students doing their Master and PhD courses.
The students of the Faculty are taught through a combination of lectures, problem classes, tutorials and laboratory classes. All courses are built around a common core, which occupies about three quarters of the available time. The remaining quarter is taken up by more specialised courses.
In the first two years all the students take up the same courses. They study mechanics and molecular physics, electricity and magnetism, the history of Belarus and of the world’s civilization, foreign languages and other subjects. They also have classes in physical training.
A proper understanding of physical sciences needs a good knowledge of mathematics. Therefore, the Faculty gives particular consideration to the teaching of mathematical subjects. All the students study mathematical analytical geometry, differential equations, algebra vector and tensor analysis and mathematical physics. Each of these subjects provides in itself a broad mathematical education and helps future physicists to obtain a deeper insight into all physical phenomena.
The Physics Faculty at the BSU is known for its wide range of pure, applied and experimental research. This range is reflected in the variety of specializations and courses from which students can choose.
Specialization begins in the third year. Students can specialize in theoretical physics, atomic and nuclear physics, biophysics, laser physics and spectroscopy, solid state physics and physics of semiconductors, plasma physics. Now they devote a lot of time to more specialized theoretical and practical work in their chosen field. They read a lot, use a computer and the Internet to get the latest information on the extraordinary progress in all fields of physics, on new discoveries and inventions. They spend a lot of time in well-equipped laboratories, where they can gain practical and useful experience in the methods of experimental physics. Students who are especially interested in scientific research can join the Student Science Society at the Faculty and University. There are teams there carrying out applied research in different fields of physics. These teams have close links with a number of different research institutes and laboratories, industrial organizations, so the results of their work often find practical applications.
The students of the Physics Faculty receive a thorough and comprehensive guidance for their studies and future work from the academic staff, which now totals about 120 people.
Being the oldest in Belarus, the Physics Faculty has a number of distinguished members, both researchers and lecturers including 4 Heroes of Socialist Labour, 6 Lenin Prize winners, more than 50 state Prize winners, more than 20 academicians of the Academy of Sciences of Belarus.
Every year about a hundred students graduate from the Physics Faculty and start working in various branches of national economy. Some of them are employed at industrial enterprises, research and development centres producing modern optical, laser and electronic equipment, experimental setups for scientific research, diagnostic facilities for testing ecological situation in the Republic. Others join Master and PhD courses to do fundamental research in their chosen field of physics; quite a few graduates become teachers at secondary school and colleges, lecturers at higher schools.
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